Cusiter heads to Oz on fitness trail

Chris Cusiter faces some stiff competition for the Scotland No.9 shirt from the likes of Rory Lawson and Mike Blair

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Scrum-half Chris Cusiter is doing all he can to ensure he plays a part in Scotland's World Cup bid, even playing Down Under as he aims to improve his match fitness.

The 28-year-old has flown to Australia to play a possible four games for the Southern Districts club in Sydney as he looks to force his way into Andy Robinson's squad.

Cusiter did feature in three Magners League games for Glasgow Warriors in their final few games of the season but, having missed the 2011 RBS 6 Nations, understandably wants more match time after missing a year with a knee injury.

Cusiter said: "I'm really excited about this. I really need to get more game time and look, ideally to be a sharp as I can, to be in with a chance of World Cup selection.

"I've had three games back with Glasgow and need to work on my match fitness.

"The Sydney club rugby competition is very strong and hopefully I'll be able to play four games and learn a bit from the experience."

And Cusiter's decision to head Down Under already looks to be paying dividends with Robinson giving him the thumbs up.

"I applaud Chris's initiative here," he said.

"He is striving to be in the best physical and mental shape he can be and attuned to the intensity a scrum-half faces, with the challenges that lie ahead later this year at the Rugby World Cup."